That is what happens when you pick up and move just a small space in my experience. The tension on the threads is not right so it gets wonky, like the machine can't pull the threads on top and bottom with the tension needed to avoid bubbles. Maybe if you pull enough space that the threads have some give instead of just as much as it takes to skip from one square to the next. You gotta make sure both threads trailing behind the foot though. That's a bit tricky to do when the bobbin thread is not long enough to handle under the fabric.

Hmmm - I do pull it further than is just necessary (learned that the hard way a long time ago - forget which project!). BUT - I hadn't thought to try to be sure the bobbin thread was trailing behind. Will have to pay attention to that in future and see if I can make that happen. Good idea - thanks!

I think it turned out great! Love your choice of the backing! Unless I am having the quilt done professionally, I try to choose a busy background...it helps to conceal any bunching, boo-boos etc. (that probably only we see! ha ha)...

Usually, when threads tangle like that, it is because the tails snag into the bobbin...I know I have seen sites that recommend using a piece of scrap to start your sewing to catch the tails, but I would think that would be a pain for all those little blocks...you might be able to use your seam ripper to carefully pull them out without re-sewing...I wouldn't worry about it since it is a wall hanging and no one will see the back!

The front is just so pretty...

Thanks so much!

For this quilt, I think you are right that it doesn't matter too much, since it would either be used for dolls (who don't care about knotted backs!) or as a wall-hanging.

However, I would like to make larger quilts, too, that will be used by real people! I don't think using a piece of scrap would work for this kind of quilt - I think I'd wind up sewing little scraps all over the back that way! Ugh.

I am thinking that I may need to clean out my machine - that may take care of at least some of it. I have found that cleaning it out solves more problems than I ever thought possible. Will have to see if it works for this issue!

For the knotted strands, I think you can avoid that if you take one stitch then pull the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric before stitching around the squares. Alternately, if you are using a fusable web to secure the squares before sewing, could you stitch a grid over the whole surface of the quilt? Or any design for that matter, just something to catch the fabrics together well enough to be secure. you might end up with slightly frayed edges eventually but that could look cool too.

Thanks!

I didn't fuse them, and the edges will fray over time. My understanding is that the fraying is part of the charm of this type of quilt.

I also went from one square to another without cutting the threads - it saves time and thread. Not sure I could pull the bobbin thread to the top that way . . . and I think it would take a REALLY long time to do that! Might be good to look into fusing them down and sewing a grid . . . Will have to think about that one! I'd like to do larger ones - crib sized and lap quilts, and want them to look nice and last well!

I added about 2 inches to the length of the middle band, and it still didn't meet the bottoms, so if you want to try making it into a tankini, I'd add lots more! Unless of course, you like the tummy peeking out - I think it's kind of cute, myself!

I used the bottom part of the one-piece (it's made in 3 pieces put together) for the bottoms of both tankinis.